RTE has revealed what to expect in their new season of TV - and there's a rake of new and returning faces on the box for the season ahead.
We hope you're looking forward to settling in for the months ahead, as the RTE new season launch sees an impressive lineup of shows, considering everything that happened (and is still happening) this year.
In terms of new content on RTE this autumn and winter, 'The South Westerlies' is a new six-part drama series starring Orla Brady, Eileen Walsh, and Patrick Bergin, about an Irish coastal town earmarked for a Norwegian-owned wind farm. The series begins on Sunday, September 6 on RTE One.
'Dead Still' is a new six-part mystery set in the eerie world of memorial photography in Victorian-era Dublin, starring Michael Smiley, Eileen O’Higgins, and Aidan O’Hare. Another gripping series, 'Smother', penned by writer Kate O’Riordan will be a family thriller starring Dervla Kirwan.
RTE will also air acclaimed international
Amy Huberman’s comedy series 'Finding Joy' returns for a second season, and 'The 2 Johnnies Do America' sees the popular podcast comedians navigate their first US tour in comedic style.
For soap fans, 'Fair City' will return to our screens on Sunday, September 6 after five months off-air, while 'Eastenders' will also be back this September.
Kate (Orla Brady) settles in West Cork in 'The South Westerlies'RTE plan on rolling out many new documentaries over their Autumn schedule, including 'Marian' which will offer an intimate portrait of legendary broadcaster Marian Finucane. Joe Duffy of 'Liveline' will bring his warmth and curiosity to 'The Meaning of Life' as he carries forward the torch of Gay Byrne’s much-loved series.
RTE News will see the new team of David McCullagh and Caitriona Perry helm the flagship bulletin, as well as there being many more 'RTÉ Investigates', 'Prime Time', and 'Claire Byrne Live' to come.
For sporting fans, all of the lead-up to December's All Ireland fixtures will be covered by 'The Sunday Game' with Joanne Cantwell and Des Cahill at the helm.
Finally, 'The Ray D'Arcy Show' will return on Saturday nights, and 'The Late Late Show' will return after an unforgettable season which saw Ryan Tubridy and his team adapt to the restrictions in a hugely positive way for the Irish nation. The Toy Show will be back of course, and Tubridy has promised a 'Late Late Toy Show' like no other this Christmas.
Informing us that the show will be "radically different" in every aspect possible, from the show's musical opening, to the character he will be playing for the night, this year's interpretation will also see the host attempt to bring those currently unable to travel home this Christmas onto our TV screens.
'The Late Late Toy Show' will return this winterDee Forbes, Director-General, said of this year's RTE new season launch: "Despite a very changed world with all of its new challenges, I am pleased to share this compelling, diverse and exciting season of programming, for television, radio and online.
"Today we launch 18 hours of new drama, a slate of important new documentaries, and a bumper calendar of sport and entertainment. As well as independent news, current affairs and investigations, RTÉ continues to support Irish artists, communities and performers. We look forward to audiences spending some quality time at home with RTÉ this autumn."
